Thanks Rocket Nation. Honestly I don't usually keep track of "all conference" players returning but rather just the general number of players returning. As a rule I think it somewhat works for at least having an idea of how a season might go. I had forgotten about the Senators' RB and receiver that also return, so definitely that's a plus for them.
2025 Central State Eight Updates.
- Thread starter cornerrat
- Start date
Hit him early and low... The only time QND struggled with Mr. Lewis was when he crashed through the first two levels untouched or nearly untouched. And while his breakaway speed isn't going to necessarily impress, it's enough to give him 20-40 yard bursts with some smaller corners/safeties/linebackers as casualties along the way. Finding him an o-line that can open the same type of holes for him this year will be the test early.All.... Overall quite a bit. On offense among others besides Brody the Senators return their top rb Armanze Lewis 133-669 (5.0) 10 td and receiver Kale Thurman 64-855 (13.5) 7 td. Both will be seniors.
As you can see on the video if you don't wrap up low young Mr. Lewis who is listed at 245lbs you are going to have trouble. 😮💨 Ratsy
Armanze Lewis on Hudl
Watch Armanze Lewis's videos and highlights on Hudl. More info: Springfield High School - Springfield High Varsity Football / FB, RB, DE, DT / Class of 2026 / Springfield, ILwww.hudl.com
Thurman is the threat I'm most concerned with. For whatever reason, maybe speed, maybe height, maybe both, maybe the arm it came from... regardless, Thurman can win SHS some ball games. He's who Brody was trying to target late in the 14-9 QND loss. QND had a pair of 6'3 and 6'4 (both of which were on that all-conf list) safeties doubled down on him and he still technically got loose and only an underthrown ball as Brody got clipped from behind saved the Raiders from a possible last second heartbreaker that night. Quick applause for the QND D-line for that one! Phew! But I'm excited to see his progression nonetheless just as a fan of football. He ran pretty good routes last year against us, and he did it multiple ways. Both from the slot and out wide and both coming over the middle and heading down a sideline. Again, I know the QB he has helps, but you still have to get open and then get up an catch a ball and Mr. Thurman does that at an above average level imo. I'd take him on our roster any day or year!
Going to be a battle for 2nd potentially between QND and SHS this season. I think SHS will come in a pretty decent favorite on paper. The upside to this point... game will be played at 10th and Jackson this time.
All.... Young Mr. Thurman is sneaky fast with great hands. Runs good routes and in space with his moves is hard to cover. The Cyclones defeated the Senators last year 35 -7. SHS score came on a long td pass to Kale who burned that young SHG defensive secondary. The game by the way was 14-7 at the half before adjustments were made by the Cycs. Ratsy
All... Class projections (postseason) at this time of the year start coming out. As mentioned in another thread I feel like surprises are coming for many schools at that time. Among others possible I was recently told about here are a couple. QND - 3A SHG -4A. Ratsy
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I wish that were a an upside for QND. But the way 3A has been... one could possibly argue 3A is the tougher draw for a program like us.
All.... Some Titan preseason dates. Ratsy
6-27 Aurora 7 on 7
7-11 Titan 7 on 7
7-25 Chatham/Quincy joint practice
6-27 Aurora 7 on 7
7-11 Titan 7 on 7
7-25 Chatham/Quincy joint practice
All.... Been looking. So far the only thing I have come across is the Cyclones have the practice/scrimmage game before the season opens (8-22) against Centralia. As far as I know yes the 8 days of May still occur. Ratsy
SHG Football posted on their FB that they had their first 4 days of the 8 Days of May on the 2nd. I'm not familiar with the tradition, but I assume "the hill" is the picture they posted of some guys running up a sidewalk next to what appears to be W. Washington Street.
Jacksonville HS and Illinois College WR Collin Brunstein has been invited to the San Diego Chargers rookie minicamp. Brunstein had quite a Senior year at IC, with 1,540 yards receiving and 28 total TD's.
Kids at QND from 1990-present: "Hold my gatorade"
Kidding, of course. Hills no matter the size are mostly brutal to run up...
All..... Calling rocketnation. 📞 Was asked this at the Mothers Day celebration and did not have an answer. Even though in the past without much success researching and coming up with numbers. 🤔 How many and what percentage arehomes in the Rochester district which have Springfield addresses. I guess inquiring minds are interested. Thanks. Ratsy
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Have never seen concrete figures, which would have to come from the district. Within the past 5 years, I do remember hearing from a pretty good source that the Springfield addresses w/school attendees were starting to (barely) exceed the Rochester addresses. There are also a limited number of district attendees that have either Buckhart or Mechanicsburg addresses.
Should've pointed out that the only significant development in the district is an apartment complex in Rochester close to the Intermediate School. This is in the process of increasing to around 8-10 apartment buildings and could tip the balance back towards Rochester addresses if it attracts school age kids.
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I've seen stakes in the ground in multiple places out off 29 recently... Rocket you heard of any more developments whether commercial, residential, or industrial going in elsewhere out there? I feel like we're just waiting for the flood gates to open on the Rochester district, much like happened in Chatham a few decades ago.
I've heard several rumors but nothing concrete. The oldest rumor was a strip mall on 29 as you near town coming from Taylorville. That has never moved forward. The newest one is a gas station to be built at/near the corner of 29/Cardinal Hill Rd. Last summer, it looked possible that something was going to be built next to the new Dollar General on 29 (Casey's?) but that seems to have stalled out as the digging has stopped and the grass has grown back.
